DENVER – The Chinese New Year officially began this Friday and if you’re looking to not only celebrate, but learn about the Year of the Dog and the cultural festivities associated with it, then you’re in luck.
Here are 7 places that are celebrating the Chinese New Year in the Denver metro area this weekend.
1. Citypoint Church
200 South University Boulevard – Denver
Come celebrate the Year of the Dog at the largest Chinese New Year celebration across the state. There will be a cultural fair, a taste of China and a marketplace filled with arts and crafts. There will be music, entertainment, as well as artworks, crafts, calligraphy, children’s games and more.
When: Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Price of admission: $25
2. Truong An Gifts
333 S. Federal Boulevard – Denver
Dragon and Lion dances, firecrackers, martial arts performances and more await you at the Truong An New Year’s Street Fair this weekend! Luan Bui, a professional ice carver will also be there until late afternoon.
When: from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Price of admission: Varies
3. Southridge Recreation Center
4800 McArthur Ranch Road – Highlands Ranch
Come celebrate Asian art and culture at the 2018 Chinese New Year Cultural Fair. You’ll get a chance to see a performance by the talented Great Wall Academy, featuring exciting Chinese dragons and lion dances, beautiful Chinese folk dances, Chinese martial arts and choral and instrumental performances.
When: Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Price of admission: Free
4. Pacific Ocean Marketplace
2200 West Alameda Avenue – Denver
The Denver Pacific Ocean Marketplace will showcase a Lion Dance at each of its stores this Saturday. There will be others at the Aurora store (Sunday at 10 a.m.) and Broomfield store (Sunday at 12:30 p.m.)
When: Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 at 12:45 p.m. | Price of admission: Free
5. Outlets at Castle Rock
550 Factory Shops Boulevard #437 – Castle Rock
Live dancers and artists from the Denver Chinese School-Jasmine Flower Dance Academy and the Denver Shaolin Kung Fu Academy will perform dragon dances and traditional folk dances in the courtyard by Under Armour.
When: Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018 at 1 p.m. | Price of admission: Free
6. The Intrepid Sojourner Beer Project
925 West 8th Avenue in Denver
The people over at the Intrepid Sojourner Beer Project will be release a new beer and will also be doing cool infusions. There’s a food truck starting at 2 p.m., live music starts at 8 p.m.
When: Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.| Price of admission:
7. Paramount Theatre
1621 Glenarm Place – Denver
The Chinese American Association and the Confucius Classroom in Denver is celebrating the Chinese New Year with a performance of the Guangdong Performing Arts Troup, a group of celebrated Chinese artists that will share their voices and acrobatic skills for spectacular performances.
When: Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 starting at 7 p.m.| Price of admission: Free, but RSVP is required.
About the Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year, also known as the “Spring Festival” is China, is the country’s most important cultural festival, and is celebrated around the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. The Chinese New Year does not have a set date, but typically begins between late January and mid-February of each Gregorian calendar year.